Glenridding Dodd, Sheffield Pike & Aira Force Ullswater

9.5miles 2500ft

Setting off from Glenridding & passing through the grounds of the lovely 'Inn on the Lake'

A brief look at Ullswater before....

....starting the climb to Glenridding Dodd

Looking over Glenridding to a snowy St Sunday Crag & Cofa Pike in the distance

Now on the summit of Glenridding Dodd 1467ft with Ullswater below....

...the sun was just rising on Glenidding village as I reached the top

The ferry landings at Glenridding

Continuing the climb to Sheffield Pike with snow on Birkhouse moor across the valley

Looking back to Glenridding Dodd....

....and ahead to the distinctive summit of 

Cat Stye Cam with Brown Cove below

Now on the summit of Sheffield Pike with a splendid view to the Helvellyn range

I met James and Ben here on the summit 2215ft.

Good luck with the remaining Wainwrights & the Pennine Way. Hope you enjoyed the rest of the day. 

From the summit I could see across to my eventual route down, the faint horizontal line half way up

Hart Side fell opposite. Well named as the

" Balcony Path!...."

First though I had to cross Nick Head.... 

....with further views to Cat Stye Cam and Helvellyn behind

Looking down Glencoyne.....

.....and back along the Balcony Path to Nick Head

Continuing the descent to Aira force...

....looking over Ullswater to Hallin fell as the ferry sailed down the lake

Arriving now at Aira Force which after all the rain and snow melt was quite a sight....

....and again

Finally crossing the bridge that would take me to the visitor centre for my lift back to my car

This had been a fabulous day in the fells. Unusually there was no cold wind on the summits and sun shone nearly all day. Lakeland at its wintry best

 The North Pennines

Newbiggin to Talkin via Cumrew fell Cardunneth pike Castle Carrock fell & Talkin fell

11.5miles 2230ft

Looking back down the path from Newbiggin

The shooting box where the grouse shooters have lunch and shelter

Reaching the top of Cunrew fell 1585ft and looking east as the sun appears on the horizon....

....and again

After crossing the summit I arrived at Cardunneth pike....

....with a rather hazy view to the northern Lakeland fells

Further across the summit was the trig point on Castle Carrock fell 1581ft... 

Leaving the summit I descended to Castle Carrock reservoir with another hazy view, this time across the Solway firth.... 

....where I was nearly run down by a horse & trap!

Lunch time on the side of the reservoir....

....and again

Leaving the reservoir I crossed the river Gelt...

....and continued to climb again to the cairns on Talkin fell

Pausing to look up Geltsdale 

Talkin fell summit 1250ft with its many cairns...

....and again

Starting the descent to the village of Talkin which is just visible near the horizon midway between the cairns

Looking across to Talkin tarn....

....and arriving in the village of Talkin to wait for my lift back to Newbiggin

Finally I couldn't resist a photo of one of these lovely old finger signposts.

I had the offer of a lift in the North of Cumbria and decided to have this week's walk in some new territory.

It turned out to be a great day's walking with plenty of interest and some great views

 Orton to Appleby

following the route of the

 'Dales High Way' path.

13miles  1200ft

Leaving the village of Orton which lies just north of the Howgill fells

Looking back to the Howgills from the climb up 

Orton Scar

The tribute monument to Queen Victoria on the top of the scar

Having crossed the scar in thick cloud I descended to the village of Great Asby

The village is cut in half by Great Asby beck with several bridges linking the two parts

St Peter's church in the village....

....and St Thomas's well

The route then continued following the river all the way to Appleby, passing Rutter waterfall and disused water mill....

....and the holiday cottages

The three together from the footbridge

Nearing Appleby with Murton fell and Appleby castle just visible to the left  

High Cup Nick  lies in the North Pennines behind Appleby and is a very popular walk with good reason

Arriving in Appleby passing the castle

The castle keep

Looking down Appleby's main street...

.....and finally crossing the river Eden to await my lift back to Orton.

Originally I had planned to do a circuit of High Cup Nick but as it was covered in thick cloud early in the morning I decided to do this walk instead.

Not the best day's walking this week but nevertheless a good day's outing!